16 Best Mattresses for Crafting the Sleep Sanctuary of Your Dreams

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There are no two ways about it: Your mattress is literally the foundation of your sleep and your sleep health. The best mattresses often cost a pretty penny and can feel like a serious investment, but a quality mattress will make or break your sleep routine. It can mean the difference between a sound night’s sleep and endless nights of tossing and turning, so it's not something you want to cheap out on.

Sleep affects every aspect of our lives, from job performance to better post-workout muscle recovery to stress levels and more. According to Jeffrey Durmer, MD, PhD, and Chief Medical Officer at Absolute Rest, there are three neuroscientific pillars that determine the impact of sleep on our health: sleep timing, duration, and quality. "While many of us have the ability (but sometimes not the foresight) to control when and how much we sleep, sleep quality is much less under our control," says Dr. Durmer. "Choosing the best mattress for your particular sleeping characteristics is a fundamental component you can control to improve your sleep quality."

Which Type of Mattress Is Best for Comfort?

Knowing how your sleep position correlates with the different types of mattresses will set you up with one that's comfortable for you. "Side sleepers tend to need more cushioning to accommodate shoulders and hips, while retaining a firmness associated with their habitus," says Dr. Durmer. "Back and stomach sleepers often require a bit less cushioning, however, this is also a personal preference."

When it comes to finding a comfortable mattress, you also need to consider your body type. "Larger, heavier individuals must consider a mattress designed with increased density, as it will provide structural support and help limit joint and soft tissue discomfort," says Dr. Durmer. "A few examples of beds for this body type include adjustable air beds, firm hybrids, memory and foam mattresses." On the flip side, Dr. Durmer notes that smaller, lighter individuals sleep best with softer cushioning so their body contours can more easily be supported. "A less firm version of any of the different types of mattresses works well, however, memory foam is oftentimes a bit too firm," says Dr. Durmer.

Read more: 30-Day Sleep Better Plan

What's the Best Bed on the Market Right Now?

If you caught our sneak peak to the best mattresses above, you will have noticed we rank the Saatva Classic as our best mattress on the market. We've conducted thorough reviews on the Saatva Classic for over two years now, and we have yet to find a more well-balanced bed.

The hard part of naming a "best mattress overall" though, is the fact that no one single mattress is best for every guy. (For example, when asking Dr. Durmer his favorite mattress, he loves the Cool-top Doctor’s Choice Elite Plush Mattress from Denver Mattress Company, his local mattress maker in Denver, CO.) If you're ready to finally make the jump at a mattress that fits your sleep style, then keep scrolling. Our team of self-proclaimed sleep enthusiasts researched and personally tested dozens of top-rated and best-selling mattresses to determine 16 unique beds worth buying right now in 2024.

Classic Mattress

If you’re a stomach sleeper, a back sleeper, or even a combo sleeper (someone who switches up positions in the night), then Saatva’s Classic Mattress is a phenomenal investment. It comes in three firmness levels: plush soft, luxury firm, and firm. All excellent choices, but we love the Luxury Firm as a "just right" firmness that's great for combo sleepers and couples with different sleep styles or mattress preferences.

No matter if you choose the 11.5-inch height or the 14.5-inch height, laying on this mattress will feel every bit as luxurious as a fine hotel bed, and maybe the best part—at least for us—is how green it is. The naturally breathable organic cotton cover allows more airflow to help disperse body heat.

Other bonuses include a responsive dual-coil design made of recycled carbon steel that's tempered three times for superb durability. And it’s all assembled in the USA. Saatva’s quality is unparalleled, and even though it's a bit pricey (especially when not on sale) it’s worth the investment. If you tend to flip-flop between sleeping on your stomach and your back, pick this one up.

Read more: Saatva Classic Review

Green Mattress

Unlike most hybrid mattresses, which are a combination of memory foam and innerspring coils, Avocado's Green Mattress contains over 1,400 pocketed support coils arranged in five zones for more calculated comfort. The materials used consist of 100% GOLS (Global Organic Latex Standard) certified organic latex, 100% GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified organic wool, and 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton. These certifications ensure you're sleeping on the highest premium quality materials—no polyester, polyurethane foams, or toxic fire retardants. It's another great option for buyers who are extra conscientious about the products they bring into their homes, even their mattresses.

And if you like a more plush-feeling mattress, you can upgrade to an attached European-style pillow-top filled with an additional two-inch layer of GOLS organic certified latex rubber foam. Ideal for all side and combination sleepers, it provides superior pressure relief and a luxurious feel. With a starting price of $2,000 (closer to $3,000 for the plush version), it ain't cheap. But Avocado does throw in free shipping and a 25-year warranty to protect your investment.

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Pod 3 Cover

For those who are serious about their sleep and recovery, the Pod Cover from Eight Sleep could prove to be the ultimate tool for ensuring you get an optimized rest. It's actually a high-tech cover that works with virtually any mattress, including the one you already own. The Pod 3 Cover is more of an uber-luxe tech upgrade for your existing mattress, but buyers can also opt to pair their cover with an Eight Sleep-branded mattress (that's medium-firm) and get a full setup.

Integrated into the Pod 3 Cover is a layer of sensors that Eight Sleep calls the "Active Grid". These sensors track everything from sleep patterns, breathing, heart rate, and more to provide sleep health analytics and even make suggestions on how to improve your zzz's. It also features active cooling technology built into each side of the cover. The technology consists of long tubes filled with water that lead to a reservoir called "The Hub" that sits on the floor next to your bed. No matter if you're a hot sleeper or cold sleeper, these tubes can be set from the Eight Sleep app to a range of 55-110 degrees Fahrenheit, allowing you and your partner to get a personalized surface temperature that adapts to your body all through the night. The Pod 3 Cover even has a unique alarm function that helps wake you up via gentle vibrations and a slow rise in heat.

There's no getting around the fact that the Pod 3 Cover is expensive. The Queen-sized model runs north of $3,000 when you pair it with the Eight Sleep mattress (around $2,000 without the mattress). We get it, but if you're looking to get into the smart mattress game, this is as good as it gets. The only real downside? Buyers only secure a short 30-night in-home trial and a surprisingly short two-year warranty (although a five-year paid upgrade is available).

Read more: Eight Sleep Pod Cover 3 Review

Premier Copper Mattress

Nectar's out-of-the-box Premier Copper Mattress is, well, a little out there with how sophisticated it is in its design. It offers a mix of a copper-infused cover and a gel-infused memory foam layer atop a supportive and shift-resistant foam base. The result is a cooling, 14-inch thick, five-layered masterpiece that cools better than almost any other mattress that we tested this year.

It's a solid mattress-in-a-box pick for hot sleepers and those who like their mattress to contour to their body. Most of Nectar's mattresses lean firmer, but the Premiere Copper is the plushest mattress the brand offers. In terms of sleep positions, side sleepers will likely enjoy the locked-in feel the foam creates. Back and stomach sleepers may want to look elsewhere, however, as this one may not provide the support they need.

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Original Mattress

Tuft & Needle's mattress-in-a-box products have always provided incredible value. Its Original Mattress packs a whole lot of mattress into an amazing (sub-$900!) price point. What you get is a medium-firm sleeper with a cooling knit top and memory foam layer, followed by a foam comfort and stability layer. Thanks to a supportive design, the mattress caters to both back sleepers and stomach sleepers exceptionally well.

It's also worth mentioning buying mattresses for stomach sleepers can be difficult, so it's nice to see the T&N Original provide enough support to keep most sleepers' hips from sinking down too far into the bed. (Allowing the hips to sink too far when sleeping on your stomach can result in some nasty back pain.) The only qualm about the T&N Original is that some side sleepers may want to opt for a more plush mattress, which is why we split our mattress-in-a-box picks into firm and plush categories.

The 100-night sleep trial and 10-year limited warranty are solid extras for a Queen-sized mattress that checks in under $900. Plus: Free delivery and free returns!

Read more: Best Memory Foam Pillows

Wave Hybrid Mattress

The Casper Wave Mattress is something of a modern engineering feat. Five layers combine to give you the most comfortable sleep possible, especially if you suffer from back pain. The trick to the Wave mattress is the placement of each layer to provide a more ergonomic sleep experience. Our favorite design note? We love how Casper placed comforting gel pods right under the waist and lower back area to prevent sinking and keep your spine aligned. Time to ditch your back pain and get to sleeping like a baby.

We also love the durability of Casper mattresses, as they're known to last longer than most on the market. The trade-off? You'll pay handsomely for that premium, high-quality construction. This mattress retails for more than $3,000, although you can frequently score it on sale for closer to $2,100. Plus, free delivery and a 100-night sleep trial sweeten the deal.

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The WinkBed

Side sleepers ideally need a medium-firm, as you want something that's soft (but not too soft) in order to support the positioning of your shoulders and hips but not be too stiff. Basically, side sleepers should feel like they’re slipping into a plush and supportive cloud when they fall asleep—and The WinkBed (in Luxury Firm) makes it happen. At the top of the mattress, there’s a soft cover derived from Tencel, a natural, eucalyptus-based performance fabric that's cool to the touch. The next layer is a pressure-relieving, quilted Euro-pillowtop that ensures your back, hips, and shoulders receive superior cushioning and support. And lastly, there’s a layer of individually wrapped pocketed coils, and an extraEDGE support system provides a more sleep-able area through enhanced edge support. You get a high level of cushioned comfort and breathability at a not-too-crazy cost. Sounds pretty nice, right?

Read more: Best Pillows for Side Sleepers

Studio Mattress

The Leesa Studio is an affordable mattress in a box that leans firm but is overall a well-balanced sleeper. It's a versatile firmness that works well for a wide variety of body types and sleep positions. Leesa uses an all-foam makeup to build the 10-inch mattress. In many ways, it feels like a traditional memory foam mattress for all sleeping positions. Side sleepers will likely enjoy the Studio's level of sink the most, as it contours just enough to provide proper support without being too plush.

But the best part is the price. A Queen-sized option runs less than $800 delivered with two free pillows thrown in. So it's likely you'll have some leftover cash to buy a nice bed frame or piece of bedroom furniture.

Read more: Best Sheets to Buy on Amazon

Plus Mattress

We're huge fans of everything Purple, and the mid-range Purple Plus mattress is no exception. The ‘Plus’ is named for the extra layer of comfort foam, which gives it a medium-firm feel that straddles the fine line between plush and firm. The foam base is topped with two inches of breathable GelFlex Grid to gently cradle sensitive areas like your hips and shoulders while keeping the rest of your body ideally aligned for ergonomic sleep. This grid layer boasts more than 20 patents and has been used in the mattresses of critical care patients in hospitals for as many years.

But what makes Purple mattresses special is the temperature-neutral grid that features over 1,400+ air channels for optimal cooling. When you take into account this feature with the breathable foams used in the base, you're bound to stay cool, calm, and comfortable all night long. It's a little pricey at nearly $2,000 (retail for a Queen-sized model), but it's frequently on sale for much less, and we think it's worth it at either price to seriously upgrade your sleep health.

Original Mattress

The Bear Original is a 10-inch medium-firm mattress that provides ample support for sleepers. It's made with two layers: The top with gel-infused memory foam and polyfoam, and the bottom from a dense foam support core. What's great about this construction is the foam is breathable, which provides a cooling effect for those who tend to run hot at night. The Bear Original is great for back sleepers and ideal for stomach sleepers, plus the mattress is firm enough to keep a stomach sleeper's hips from sinking down and putting pressure on the spine. Some side sleepers might enjoy a more plush mattress, as the Bear Original doesn't contour to your body like other softer mattresses do.

What really stands out with this and all Bear mattresses, however, is the after-sale extras. Free delivery and free returns are both nice to have in a mattress that often stickers for less than $700 on sale. Plus, Bear adds a lifetime warranty to every sale.

Plank Firm Luxe Mattress

For those who love an ultra-supportive sleep surface, there’s Brooklyn Bedding’s Plank Firm Luxe Mattress. “Designed to be the firmest mattress on the market,” it boasts a two-inch high-density top layer for maximum rigidity. We love that it can also be flipped with a reverse side that’s more “traditionally” firm for a slightly plusher night’s sleep. Plus, that double-sided design can be used to extend the life of the mattress. The only real downside is that the Extra Firm side is probably too firm for many sleepers.

Luxe Hybrid 12" Bed in a Box Hybrid Mattress

Allswell's Luxe Hybrid is made from layers of innovative memory foam with individually wrapped coils for the perfect blend of comfort and support. It all adds up to a medium-firm feel—a good medium for most people, gently contouring to your body. The mattress is encased in a fabric designed to feel cool to the touch, so you’re not just getting a cheap bed; you’re getting a great budget buy that promises to keep you cool all night long.

And the big bonus: The CertiPUR-US® certified foams are made without toxic chemicals like mercury, lead, formaldehyde, and phthalates. This sleeper shows you don’t necessarily need to “invest” thousands in a mattress for it to be just what you need for a good night’s rest. A Queen-sized option is available for less than $400 delivered.

Luxe Natural Mattress

If you're conscientious about everything you bring into your home, including your mattresses, an organic option is probably right for you. Not only are natural mattresses better for the environment, but they can also be better for your quality of sleep. The Birch Luxe Natural Mattress supports temperature regulation thanks to a surface made from organic cotton and a top-layer blend of organic cashmere and wool for luxurious breathability.

Under the hood, one thousand individual steel coils cradle your body and limit motion transfer at the foundation, making this a solid (literally) option for couples.

Read more: Best Cooling Pillows

Hybrid Mattress

If you love the feeling of a plush mattress but, as a stomach sleeper, find that you can't ever get fully comfortable on one, meet the DreamCloud. The brand boasts that their mattress has the“perfect” firmness, and we agree. Quilted foam and cashmere sit on top, while a layer of pressure-relieving gel memory foam that contours to body shape lies beneath.

At the base are targeted-support coils that provide a sturdy foundation for deep, restful sleep. Most surprising, however, is the free delivery and free returns, plus a 365-night trial and a lifetime warranty—all for less than $800.

Read more: Best Pillows for Stomach Sleepers

TEMPUR-Adapt Mattress

When you think of an adjustable bed, it’s hard to get more robust than the excellent TEMPUR-Adapt from Tempur-Pedic. When paired with the brand's Smart Base, the mattress can be adjusted to several positions, including a more upright one for reading or watching TV. If your partner tends to be a snorer, a gentle incline of the head can help ease it up and give you both a good night’s rest.

The mattress is also enhanced with advanced motion-absorbing properties. So you and your significant other can sleep comfortably and undisturbed all night long through each other's shifting, thus ensuring you wake up feeling fully rested and refreshed.

This mattress, as with all Tempur-Pedic mattresses, is pricey at more than $3,000 (for a Queen). You'll want to invest in a premium (and probably pricey) frame, too, to protect and get the most out of your new mattress. But, if only the best will do and you don't mind splurging, this is easily one of this year's best mattresses for men.

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Natural 11" Mattress

Nolah uses fine organic cotton and organic wool certified by the GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) to create a premium sleeper that works especially well for those with allergies. Even better is the fact that the brand opted for natural latex to form a pressure-relieving layer and a transition layer to go on top of a wonderfully supportive Tri-Zone coil system.

The result is a hypoallergenic mattress with a medium level of firmness that helps provide support and relief all night long. Free shipping and a lifetime warranty round out the long list of reasons to opt for this mattress.

Read more: Best Anti-Snoring Pillows

Read More of the Best Sleep Products

Best Mattresses in a Box | Best Mattresses for Sex | Best Futon Beds | Men's Health Sleep Awards | Best Pillows | Best Pillows for Neck Pain | Best Bedding | Best Sheets | Best Mattress Toppers for Back Pain

Meet the Expert

Jeffrey Durmer, MD, PhD, is a sleep and circadian neurologist of over 20 years. He's a Chief Medical Officer at Absolute Rest, a company that develops personalized systems to optimize sleep for athletes and high performers.

Dr. Durmer has worked with organizations like the NFL's Atlanta Falcons and the United States Olympic Weightlifting team as their Sleep Performance Director. Additionally, he serves as a Sleep Medicine advisor to the Federal Aviation Administration.

Why Trust Us

Retailers, manufacturers, brands, salespeople, and PR folks never dictate the products we cover. Everything we recommend is editorially selected. Occasionally, our staff receives press samples of the products we test (typically on a “loaner” basis). But it’s important to note that we never guarantee a mention, a positive review, or a recommendation for any product. In most cases, our staff personally buys the products they test. However we come about the products we review, we treat them all the same for testing purposes. They’re all subjected to the same honest review.

When it comes to covering sleep at Men's Health, our editors and writers are regularly in-the-know about the latest sleep innovations and product releases. Aside from our expert-aided sleep roundups, we also host our annual Sleep Awards, where we highlight our top sleep products of the year.

Which Mattress Firmness Is Right for You?

Like Dr. Durmer mentioned, back and stomach sleepers usually require less cushioning, while side sleepers need more cushioning.

This is all relatively subjective though, because it all comes down to personal preference. There are also no real hardcore standards for firmness across mattress makers. One manufacturer’s “firm” might be another’s “medium-firm.” The only way to know for sure if a mattress is right for you is to test it out, ideally in person. That's why it’s so important to double-check any in-home trials and warranties.

Even if a mattress seems like a good fit at first, you may not like it as much six months from now. It’s essential to know that you can return or exchange it and how much it'll cost you to do so. Some companies offer free shipping but may charge extra to return a non-defective mattress. These return fees can vary from as little as $50 to several hundred dollars—costs that can seriously add up.

What Is the Best Mattress for People Who Sweat at Night?

If you are a hot sleeper and sweat a lot at night, then there are a couple actions you can take to optimize cooling in your sleep. The first, and probably easiest, is by adding a cooling mattress topper. Second is you can look for a mattress that prioritizes cooing in its design. Dr. Durmer notes that in toppers and in mattress you can look for an open-cell foam design in order to help dissipate heat from the mattress itself.

A third action is by purchasing a surface temperature regulating pad. We love how the Eight Sleep Pod Cover provides a boosted cooling surface all through the night. A cheaper alternative to the Pod Cover that you can consider would be a Chilipad by Sleepme.

How to Find the Best Mattress

There are a few structural points to consider when you look at top-rated mattresses. Do you sleep better on a firmer mattress or one that’s got a little bounce? Do you have special wants, such as a mattress to help alleviate occasional back pain? Do you sleep hot? We’ve got all the answers right here. Let’s start with the basics.

Mattress Type and Material

There are, generally, three different types of mattresses: foam (including memory foam) mattresses, innerspring mattresses, and a hybrid of the two. In general, foam mattresses tend to be a little firmer, innerspring models a little bouncier, and hybrid mattresses tend to be a mix of the two.

• Innerspring mattresses: No matter which type of mattress you choose, almost all are made with two separate sections. The first is a support core or base that serves as the "foundation" for the rest of the mattress. The second is a softer comfort section near the top that's typically made with materials that are softer, more responsive, and more comfortable than those in the core. Innerspring mattresses are unique in that they rely on rows of metal coils to provide a strong, durable base. The comfort layers in an innerspring mattress are typically no more than two inches thick (any thicker and they're usually considered a hybrid mattress).

• Foam/memory mattresses: Foam (including memory foam) mattresses rely on layers of foam throughout the construction, including for the support core. Instead of metal coils, they use high-density foam as the base of the entire mattress. This is usually topped with additional layers of memory foam. The best memory foam mattresses are soft yet supportive, and made to naturally contour to your body's size and shape. This results in a more "body-hugging" feel than traditional innerspring mattresses. Although, in lower-quality memory foam mattresses, that "contouring" can lead to a feeling of sleeping in rather than on the mattress. Whether that's a good thing or not is usually a matter of personal preference.

• Hybrid mattresses: As the name implies, hybrid mattresses combine an innerspring coil support base with a thick memory foam comfort layer. In the best hybrid mattresses, the result is a "best of both worlds" mattress that's extremely supportive and contouring enough to please a wide range of sleep styles and preferences.

These days, memory foam mattresses have largely overtaken innerspring mattresses as the sleep surface of choice. But, hybrid models that combine memory foam and innerspring construction are fast gaining in popularity. They offer the support and rigidity of a traditional mattress with the plushness, comfort, and temperature-regulating properties of memory foam. Again, it’s all a matter of personal preference, so there really is no one “best” type of mattress. It's all about what's best for you.

Temperature Regulation

The best mattresses provide solid temperature regulation, which is especially important for "hot" sleepers. The most premium quality models feature memory foam top layers designed to draw heat away from the body, so you stay cool and comfortable all night long.

Motion Isolation

For couples where one or both partners toss and turn during the night, that motion/vibration can be a real problem. Look for a mattress with solid motion isolation which allows each partner to flip and flop all night long without disturbing their significant other. The best way to test this out, of course, is to do so in person.

In-Home Sleep Trial

It's best to shop in person whenever possible. If you can't or just don't want to, be sure to shop mattress brands with a solid in-home sleep trial of at least 90 nights. Three months is plenty of time to test out a new mattress in your own home to make sure it'll work for you. Check the fine print, too, to confirm what fees are involved with returning your mattress after the trial. Some brands and retailers offer free shipping, but not free returns, and some charge additional return/restocking fees that can add up to hundreds of dollars.

Warranty

Any mattress worth buying should come with a minimum 10-year warranty. The best mattress brands even offer 25-year or lifetime warranties, so you know they really stand behind their products.

Budget

The best mattresses (from the likes of Tempur-Pedic and Purple) often require a significant investment, with some priced at four to five thousand dollars or more. But the truth is you don't have to spend that much. If budget is your main concern, start by shopping for mattresses in your price range. There are a variety of great mattress options starting at less than $400 delivered.

How We Selected the Best Mattresses

For the past four years, a suite of Men's Health editors and writers tried and tested over 40 mattresses. We put these beds through the wringer, evaluating each one on support, comfort, durability, and assembly time. We also considered price point, as some mattresses provide a better overall value than others. Ultimately, we agreed on the list above of our picks for the best mattresses for men on the market right now in 2024.

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